Sports authority approves bond payment, hears construction and contingency update

The Sports Authority in Crossville voted to proceed with a bond payment due June 1 after staff said processing the payment early would provide time to cut a check and meet the deadline. The chair opened the item and the motion to approve the payment was moved and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The authority is overseeing construction of a new facility and staff said moving the bond payment forward avoids tight turnaround times that could delay payment processing. The presenter also gave an update on the project’s contingency balance and recommended commissioning and cabling decisions that could affect final closeout costs.

Construction and contingency: A presenter reporting on the project said, “Progress has been going well,” noting that framing on the main level is underway and that “the final slab pour on the upper level was this morning.” The presenter reported remaining contingency funds of “$938,204” and said there were “no big things on the horizon” that would require additional contingency spending.

Commissioning recommendation: The presenter recommended hiring a commissioning agency near the end of construction to test mechanical and building systems, saying the commissioning reports used for the GTAC Crossville academic building were extensive and could be a good use of remaining contingencies. On timing, the presenter said a firm would need about “3 or 4 months” notice to fit the work into its schedule.

Cabling and security: The presenter said Datacom Cabling provided a quote for structured cabling and fiber and noted that the construction contract covers rough-in conduits but not final cabling or equipment termination. “It would make more sense for the sports authority, as the owner of the building, to make sure that the fiber is put in up to whatever standards meet Mandy’s,” the presenter said, and added that specific security-system vendor decisions have not been made.

Votes at a glance: The authority approved the previous meeting minutes, authorized the bond payment due June 1, and approved submitted invoices by voice vote; the transcript records the motions and that each motion passed, but a detailed roll-call tally is not provided in the record.

What’s next: Staff will obtain cost estimates for commissioning work and final cabling, share vendor quotes and timing, and return details for authority review before committing contingency funds or awarding services.